John Entwistle

[tydhurst]

There's been quite a few Who threads on this forum, but never one about just John Entwistle, i think he was the BEST bass player ever, and could write some really Swish songs too.

Just wanted to know opinions on the man.

[Terry]

He was pretty phenominal, IMO. Great stuff. Didn't even feel the need to move around onstage at all. Had those two water bottles attached to his mic stand, one with booze and the other with water.

Probably the first recognized 'lead bassist' in rock, a la the bass break in My Generation, although what he was really doing was just pushing the melody along while Pete was concentrating on chording.

[tydhurst]

Originally posted by Terry
He was pretty phenominal, IMO. Great stuff. Didn't even feel the need to move around onstage at all. Had those two water bottles attached to his mic stand, one with booze and the other with water.

Probably the first recognized 'lead bassist' in rock, a la the bass break in My Generation, although what he was really doing was just pushing the melody along while Pete was concentrating on chording.

Yeah. that's my kind of first response, five stars for you!

[tydhurst]

Originally posted by tydhurst
Yeah. that's my kind of first response, five stars for you!

Oops, i've already voted for you, sorry!

Anyone who agrees John Entistle was great gets 5 stars from yours truly!

[Jérôme Frenchise]

Yeah, it's a good idea. I agree with you about his status, he was a tremendous bassist. Townshend wrote 98% of the songs or so, but John Entwistle, who made a few great ones himself, was great as a songwriter too.
He took bass away to another dimension. His parts are often really awesome, and what he did on stage... wow! That humming of his! And his kind of "knitting" with the strings, so impressive. He made his bass look like a ukulele.
Good Pete may be responsible for nearly all their repertoire, he was very lucky not to find a traditional singer (Rodger Daltrey must be someone especially easy-going, as most vocalists have big egos), the most explosive drummer and the best bass player, who allowed him to digress on stage as much as he wanted: with Entwistle holding the whole house on his shoulders, he was as safe as could be.

His voice was amazing too, as he could sing very high (as he did in the backgound vocals) and very low as well. "Boris the Spider", one of his own tunes, is a perfect example: he sang the verses in a medium voice, the bridge in a very high one ("hear me callin'...", and the chorus in a sepulcral tone. He surely was a great harmonizer too.
Maybe he missed another carreer in which he would have developped his rare talents and his many ideas, but then the Who wouldn't have been that great themselves...

[Hardrock69]

I met him in late 1991. Bought him a drink at the Rainbow in Hollyweird.

Really nice chap.

Ol' Thunderfingers ROCKED!!!

[Jérôme Frenchise]

Ha! Ha! Thanks a lot, Tydhurst! I was still typing after your opening post, so I didn't answer hoping for 5 stars.
Thanks again, now I'll check if I can still vote for you!
Cheers!

By the way, there's a hilarious gag in the film "The kids are alright" in which John Entwistle is at home, picking gold and platinum records off the walls, then walking down the stairs, playing gently the numerous guitars hung along, then going out in his garden, walking to the end of it.
Suddenly you hear him yell: "Pull!"
And what you believe (I don't really know if they really were) to be the awards are thrown like in a clay pigeon shoot, John shoots them one by one. He even uses a machine gun in the end. I love that gag.

[tydhurst]

Originally posted by Jérôme Frenchise
Ha! Ha! Thanks a lot, Tydhurst! I was still typing after your opening post, so I didn't answer hoping for 5 stars.
Thanks again, now I'll check if I can still vote for you!
Cheers!

By the way, there's a hilarious gag in the film "The kids are alright" in which John Entwistle is at home, picking gold and platinum records off the walls, then walking down the stairs, playing gently the numerous guitars hung along, then going out in his garden, walking to the end of it.
Suddenly you hear him yell: "Pull!"
And what you believe (I don't really know if they really were) to be the awards are thrown like in a clay pigeon shoot, John shoots them one by one. He even uses a machine gun in the end. I love that gag.

I know that clip very well, and they wern't his Gold Records at all...

They were Roger Daltreys! HAHAHA!

[Rikk]

Best bass player in history, and he wrote some of THE WHO's best songs...SUCCESS STORY, YOU, WHEN I WAS A BOY, A TRICK OF THE LIGHT, MY WIFE, etc.

And THE WHO is among my very favorite bands...I love 'em as much as I love VH.

[nosuchluck]

definitely my favourite rock bass player - his chops and tone were perfect.

RIP

[DrMaddVibe]

Pete is/was a rhythm guitarist at best. John provided the canvas and timing for him. Add Moon and magic was going to happen.

He's one of my faves too!

[FORD]

There's only two bands I can think of where the rhythm section equals or even sometimes exceeds the guitar.

The Who is the first. Rush is the second. Completely different styles, of course, but no denying the power of the bass & drums in both.

I have absolutely no interest in any travesty calling itself "The Who" as long as the Ox and Loony Moon remain dead.

[Terry]

Yeah, well, 'The Who' was over when Moonie passed on. That name should have been rendered inactive in 1978. Not to say that Pete, Rog and John didn't turn in some solid live stuff with Jones, Phillips and Starkey, but I just don't look at that stuff as The Who.

Can't say I'm astonished that Pete and Roger are trying to carry on as The Who now that John has passed on, since they did so when Moonie died. But both of them are getting a little long in the tooth for that mic swinging, arm flailing nonsense. Just comes off as disingenuous nowadays.

[mentalpancake]

Entwistle is great, definitely one of my top 5 bassists. Plus, Boris the Spider is such a great song.

[Rikk]

Actually, I think the current WHO, though a different band, is a very good band. Very exciting live, I enjoyed the two new songs, think Townshend is playing better than he ever did earlier in his career, and I think Roger is still an amazing singer. The show I saw in 2002 was maybe the best concert I've ever seen in my life.

[Jérôme Frenchise]

And the Who were (the two remaining members still are) also great guys, with a strong sense of humor, each in their own way. Really fine human beings, and so kick-ass on stage...

John Entwistle once declared that considering how explosive Moony and Pete were, he just CHOSE to stand still during gigs and TV show appearances.

[Jack68]

Originally posted by Rikk
Actually, I think the current WHO, though a different band, is a very good band. Very exciting live, I enjoyed the two new songs, think Townshend is playing better than he ever did earlier in his career, and I think Roger is still an amazing singer. The show I saw in 2002 was maybe the best concert I've ever seen in my life.

I agree,not the same band by a long shot without the ox but Townshend seems to be trying to make up for it.His guitar playing the last few tours has been amazing.As for John i met him twice once before the concert for new york as he was leaving bb kings around 500pm and on the 2000 tour after an msg gig at the irish times.A truly great guy who was as cordial and accommidating as anyone ive ever met.Deaf as a post and man he could drink,i bought him a drink at like 300am and he was drinking brandy with coffee.Chainsmoking and god knows whatelse.He seemed like a real rockstar and happy to be the center of attention,i thought man what a deep voice and after shaking hands with him you could tell he never lifted a shovel in his life.Anyway i highly suggest smash your head against the wall from his solo stuff and his dvd the john entwistle band left for dead"live" is excellent.http://www.johnentwistle.com/

[Jack68]

Damn shame....

[Casemeister]

Amazing bassist. He was awesome.

As for today's Who, I saw them last year and they blew my freakin' mind! What a great show! I love the Live In Boston DVD. It's like the show I saw. Roger was better at my show. He seriously sang better than he did back in the '70s. It was awesome. Pete's playing is so much better than it ever was before, too. If they still had Keith and John, well... WHOA.

[BigBadBrian]

A true legend....

The rumble that brought the WHO to life.

[Jérôme Frenchise]

Originally posted by Jack68
Damn shame....

Very cool pic, Jack. Thanks!

[Soul Reaper]

POWER BASS!!!

he was great on Kids are Alright. remember the vinyl shooting bit?!

[tydhurst]

Originally posted by Soul Reaper
POWER BASS!!!

he was great on Kids are Alright. remember the vinyl shooting bit?!

That was fucking Excellent!

[Soul Reaper]

final words on the Kids Are Alright...

"....can't think of anything to say"

[Soul Reaper]

Pete Townshend and Keith Moon on John (Kids Are alright film):

PT:"he's as boring as..."
KM: "Inland Income Revenue Tax"

[Jack68]

"Now im too old to enjoy my money."
John entwistle